PRESS RELEASE: Director of Caregiver Support Initiative Set to Speak on Dementia, Support Services

Director of Caregiver Support Initiative Set to Speak on Dementia, Support Services[email protected] Series held at the Champlain Wine Company (5/1); Keene Valley Public Library (5/15)

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative, which provides free support services to those caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders in northern New York, will participate in two free information sessions during the month of May, hosted by the Champlain Wine Company as part of their [email protected] series, and by the Keene Valley Public Library. Dr. Richard Durant, who serves as the Initiative’s director, will describe the problem of dementia and provide information about the dementia caregiver support services available for caregivers and care receivers in the North Country via the Caregiver Support Initiative.

The topic of caregiving is important, as New York is home to over 380,000 persons living with dementia, which is projected to grow to 460,000 by the year 2025. Statewide, an estimated one million residents provide caregiver support to persons with dementia, equivalent to 1.1 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $14 billion.

A caregiver is an adult aged 18 and over who supports a family member, domestic partner, friend or other individual living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, without monetary compensation. The responsibilities involved with being a caregiver are taxing, and can lead to significant emotional, physical and financial distress. The Caregiver Support Initiative aims to help caregivers care for themselves, by providing both information and guidance.

In addition to serving as the director of the Initiative, Dr. Durant is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Plattsburgh and also serves as a Clinical Director & Clinical Neuropsychologist at the SUNY Plattsburgh Center for Neurobehavioral Health.

[email protected] Series held at the Champlain Wine Company Monday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. 30 City Hall Place, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

About Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative:Also known as We Help Caregivers, this Initiative provides free support services to those caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders in northern New York, across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Washington Counties.

A caregiver is an adult aged 18 and over who supports a family member, domestic partner, friend or other individual living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, without monetary compensation.

The Initiative’s goal is to reduce caregivers’ financial, emotional and physical distress, and improve caregiver overall health and quality of life, while also reducing the number of care receiver emergency visits and institutional placements. Operated by The Center for Neurobehavioral Health, it is an affiliated program of the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Plattsburgh and is supported by the SUNY Research Foundation.

Caregiver Support Groups

Support groups provide emotional support & information, as well as a place to share ideas and experiences with other caregivers and family members of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.